NYC98LA183

The pilot performed an approach to runway 24 with gusty crosswinds from the right. The airplane floated and he performed a go-around. The pilot had not retracted the flaps which were set at 2/3. A witness observed the airplane on a go-around and reported that the left wing dropped and the airplane descended into the trees. The pilot had received his private pilot certificated one month prior. His total time was 75 hours. All of his flight training was accomplished in a Cessna 172, and he had 12 hours in the accident airplane, a Grumman American AA-5B.

On September 5, 1998, about 1221 eastern daylight time, a Grumman American AA-5B, N28764, was substantially damaged during a go-around at Chatham Municipal Airport, Chatham, Massachusetts. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight. No flight plan had been filed for the flight that originated at Chatham, and was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report. The pilot stated:

"Accident occurred on landing runway 24. Approach stable (crabbed). Final approach speed 70 kts. Experienced ground effect, perhaps wind shifted to tailwind. Attempted go around - full power. Had not yet raised flaps (set to 2/3). Gust (crosswind - 300 degrees) of unknown speed (Winds apparently recorded at accident site - in sheltered hollow in excess of 20 mph) Lost control of aircraft which was blown into trees to left of runway...Pulled back power before impact...."

According to an inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the pilot had been practicing takeoffs and landings on runway 24. On the accident approach, the pilot had extended the landing flaps to 2/3 extension, and the airplane floated. The pilot applied power for a go-around and the airplane drifted left off the runway. While over trees, the left wing dropped and made contact with tree limbs. The airplane cartwheeled and came to rest in an area of scrub pines.

The FAA inspector further added that the left wing was buckled and bent rearward into the fuselage, and the left aileron was ripped off. The left flap was partially separated from the wing. The right wing was buckled on the outboard 6 feet.

The winds at Chatham were recorded as from 280 degrees at 11 knots, with gusts to 22 knots at 1152, and from 270 degrees at 9 knots with gusts to 17 knots at 1252.

According to FAA records, the pilot had received his private pilot certificate on August 4, 1998, at a total time of 69 hours. All training had been received in the Cessna 172. The pilot had recently purchased the accident airplane and had logged 12 hours in the airplane, all within the preceding 90 days.